Crying for an A

I have long thought that in school anywhere, there is a great deal of manipulation going on, such as little kids doing anything for a sticker and participating in a fund raiser just for a crappy music player as a prize (most school fund prizes can be purchased at the nearest dollar store. Most of the controlling is done to the students by the teachers. But last week the tables were turned and it was the students who got the power to manipulate. My English teacher has a habit of assigning huge projects that determine most of our grade for the quarter. They are usually based on books we are reading in class. The book we are currently reading is called The Outsiders. For a grade that counted as 2 unit test grades, all we had to do was bring something we thought was cool and show it to the class and talk about it.
I think that most of the girls in my class were desparate for a grade or something because all the things they brought in were objects that they had recieved from a dead relative. Here's how most of the class went that day:
A girl would be called up to the front of the class to present her cool item. It would usually be a photograph of the relative. Their speech went a bit like this. "This is my uncle who...." and then they would cry and the teacher would comfort them and say "Its ok, you did good, why don't you sit down and take a rest. Don't worry you got an A."
As I recall it, the homework was to bring in something cool, not to bring in something that would make tissues look cool. Now these girls didn't even need to talk or do much of anything for a grade and yet they all got A's. This is just so unbelievably unfair that that when it was my turn to talk about what I had brought in (a book I'm writing) I took as long as I could to explain it, and I got an A. I did alot more work than those people who just had to cry and get the grade.
Even some boys brought in relics and didn't cry and got a lower grade than the ones who did cry. I don't think death is cool, and neither should anyone else, so why should these girls get a high grade? There was one girl who didn't even speak and ran out of the room sobbing, (She got an A+).
I was having a hard time trying not to laugh at these people, I had to bury my head in my hands to hide it. I knew it was all fake and I find it amazing that an adult wouldn't recognize it. For once the students controlled the teacher and got what they wanted in order to pass, and I think its pretty funny.

signed
MCR.Pappi

N.B. Pappi is Paul Nichols' nickname. It is a moniker placed

upon him by his cousin Alex, and it has been accepted by many.

-ed.

As a general rule, librarians are a kick in the pants socially, often full of good humor, progressive, and, naturally, well read.-Bill Hall

Finals time is here! So, I decided to take my procrastination and reminiscing to the blog. As you can imagine, the classes in Albany for Library Science are diverse in age range (not so much in gender). So, after settling in the first semester, I can say that I have a handful of very good librarian friends. Starting from the top left is Jamie, Me, Amy, Hilary, and Tara.
Tara has been particularly good at getting everyone together for lunch, shopping, etc. Two weeks ago we all got together at her house while her parents were in Florida. You know the saying... when the cats are away.... So we all took a short trip to Kinderhook.
Kinderhook is a small Dutch town that was home to our eighth President, Martin Van Buren, It is also the home of the man who the story of "Ichabod Crane" is based on. We went on a mini-historical tour, coutesy of our hostess Tara. There was also a house that Benedict Arnold was held in after he was captured. Very quaint town.

We made diner together, ate outside, and chatted by a little bonfire out in Tara's backyard. The next morning we walked along Main Street and had a nice breakfast at a diner. Next week we're going to "Bombers"on Lark for some Mexican to celebrate one year down! I am sure dad is familiar with Lark Street:) Aunt Theresa also became acquainted with the street when she came to visit me (think sushi!) So it should be a good time:)


For some reason I can't upload the pictures of Ichabod's schoolhouse, the bonfire, or Martin Van Buren's grave site. So, I'll try later. This is a preview of coming attractions...

“A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done” -- Dwight David Eisenhower

For many years now, my children Maureen and John and my wife, Kathleen, have criticized me for laughing too heartily at my own jokes. My brother, Kevin, often says, "No one laughs as hard or as long at his own jokes than Joe". Before our trip to Williamsburg, VA. with the Boy Scouts, I thought perhaps that it was an anomaly from which I alone suffered. Perhaps it was some mental condition from which I suffer. "No one thinks my jokes are funny, but me, so therefore I am sick in the head", is the thinking in my own head that all of this criticism from my wife, some of my children and my brother has brought upon me. Now I am even more concerned. It appears that the madness is congenital.

When it comes to the boys, it is important to know why we took these cats down to Gettysburg, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. These guys have been scouts from the time they were in first grade or so. In camping, as shown at the left, they have gone through campouts in the snow, rain and wind. They have had to undergo the "manly abuse" poured down upon them when they were the young scouts and the older boys would make life a bit difficult upon them. It was time to get them out of the wind, rain, snow and abuse and down to the sunny state of Virginia.

So, we started a series of 15 miles of hikes all along the battlefield lines of Gettysburg, PA. They boys learned about the three days of battles that culminated in Union victory on July 3, 1863 -- the "high water mark of the Confederacy" -- but the effective end of the threat of the Confederacy, thought the war would bleed on for another two years. There is nothing like walking the battlefield, with a good tour guide, (me, of course), to understand why Generals take certain positions and why battles are won and why they are lost.

At Jamestown, we learned of the first permanent English settlement in North America. We also learned about the ships that brought the settlers into Virginia. Finally, we learned that those who work ate, and those who did not, starved.

Jamestown also has a fantastic museum on the grounds in addition to a working and interactive Native American village, 3 working ships and a replica of the early Jamestown settlement. It's a great place to see.

We also learned at Yorktown about the English surrender to the Americans and the French Fleet that ended the Revolutionary War. The boys also learned first-hand how to operate an artillery battery and fired off a mortar. Though they look small, they pack a wallop and their percussion knocked us all a bit back! Here, too, was a working replica of a Revolutionary War camp, a working farm of the era and a great museum.

We had a great time. Of course, though, the boys wanted to go to Busch Gardens. More on that, later.

indoor track

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Christopher/My%20Documents/My%20Videos/Isaiah.MSWMM

The sport in Scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, British Army Officer, founder of the Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts, Troop 61.

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

We just got done with over 20 miles of hikes throughout Gettysburg National Battlefield. We also have gone through Colonial Williamsburg, participated in a witch trial, a tar and feathering of a loyalist, listening to Paul's stories at King's Army Tavern, visited Lord Dunsmore's Palace, the Gunsmith, the Printer, the Binder, and a whole lot of other stuff.

These guys are good...

Some Track Inspiration By: Christopher

I feel good while I’m running on the track.
Once I get going I’m never looking back.
I try to block out the shouts and jeers.
And listen for the advice and cheers.
Don’t ask me why I run.
It really isn’t fun.
The only way to gain
is going through lots of pain.
I love the way the wind blows through my hair.
Sometimes I forget that I’m actually there.
Second lap and two to go
I’m starting to get into the flow.
I pass men one, two, three
I feel the track as I grip it with my cleat.
Last lap its time to sprint
My coach gives me the cue, the hint.
I know that it will be a feat
If I beat the cheat.
I just broke the lead.
I must succeed.
Across the finish line I am first
My heart is about to burst.
The sweat beads on my forehead are asking for a friend
I pour some water on my head and they have a trend.
Soon to bed and then I sleep
Tomorrow I’ll have another meet.

Steubenville OR Bust '08- YO!

Lauren Gets Us Lost

Everything was going fine...until, Lauren calls us to chat. Next thing, Tom realizes, that we just missed our exit. (Well, actually Aunt Joan realized it...but the debate is still on..) "Bye Lauren, thanks."

Tour de le Campus

Uncle Tom's Version: It was nice to meet Claire's "homie-girlz". They were all very "huggy-bubbly-nice".

Aunt Joan's Version: Spring and sunshine was in air! Lovely giftshop...t-shirt and books purchased.

Dinner At Friday's on Sunday

Great religions 101 discussions: A.) The days of Eden B.) Nudity policies C.) End of times D.) Vanilla Cheesecake....awesome

Mass On Monday

Tom: good. Very loud music, lovely.

Joanie (Hunny Cucial Crispy CRUNCH!): "I couldn't sing. I could only cry, through most of the mass, it was so beautiful. Chorus of Angels.

Mariology Class

Tom: Very good. Joan asked the professor about the validity of the Emmitsburg visionary, professor confirms that it was void of authenticity.

Joan: Wants to take theology classes...wants to further religious education (with her man??).

DINNER (Monday-Mexican Style)

Mexican polka with tuba resounding during our good meal and excellent conversation, regarding A.) Miracles B.) "Claire stories" C.) Apparitions D.) Good Salsa

The Seven Second Win by TRS

So the bet was: that with the music at (a little over) half mast, Joanie would turn it down, once she re-entered the car. Claire said she wouldn't touch the dial...at all. Tom on the other hand thought it would take AT THE MOST seven seconds.

Suprise, suprise...it took only 2.5 seconds.

Tom ... thinks he's a winner.

(Loser, much???...we know better:))

Misc

- Chill time

- Relaxing

- (Still praying for Tom's conversion)

- Ping pong

- Piano

- Sitting outside

- Soaking up 70 degree sun

- Pretzels

- SPANKY'S pancake house tomorrow!!! (Closed on Mondays)

- Mel the Bob Evan's waitress ....holy moly batman lipliner, robin.

- Offcentered pictures, later cropped

- Fajitas

- Planning next family reunion...in SANTORINI, GREECE

Gas: $100

Hotel: $200

Food: $100

Spending a weekend with Claire: PRICELESS

We love and miss you all!

Peace, Love, Prayers

T, J, C

"All things are possible until they are proved impossible-even the impossible may only be so, as of now." - Pearl Buck

As many of you may know, I am a true "homme de Renaissance". Though we live on the edge of civilization here in Malone, I truly am the "gentleman scientist", the "patron of the arts", and of course, the humble country lawyer. Yes, a new and improved Thomas Jefferson!

Thus, it is with great enthusiasm that I refer you to my new discovery in science.

Please click on this link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nrxmpihCjqw

It made the news all over the world: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mkyYbIhBRmg

But before you go all nutty about it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lzhDsojoqk8&feature=related

The tradition of the BBC in April Fool jokes is absolutely tremendous, like the 1957 Spaghetti Harvest in Switzerland. Of course, thousands of people called in to find out where they could get seeds for these spaghetti trees! http://youtube.com/watch?v=SyUvNnmFtgI&feature=related

Have a great day!

Joe